Wind calm at deadly Ariz. fire but storms a threat

Prescott and other area department firefighters embrace during a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz., The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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Prescott and other area department firefighters embrace during a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz., The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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In a photo provided by the Rio Grande National Forest, firefighting personnel at the West Fork Complex Incident Command in Del Norte, Colo., observe a moment of silence early Monday morning, July 1, 2013, for fellow firefighters killed Sunday fighting a wildfire in Yarnell, Ariz. The out-of-control blaze killed 19 firefighters, nearly all of them members of an elite crew of "hotshots," authorities said Monday. It was the nation's biggest loss of firefighters in a wildfire in 80 years. (AP Photo— AP

In a photo provided by the Rio Grande National Forest, firefighting personnel at the West Fork Complex Incident Command in Del Norte, Colo., observe a moment of silence early Monday morning, July 1, 2013, for fellow firefighters killed Sunday fighting a wildfire in Yarnell, Ariz. The out-of-control blaze killed 19 firefighters, nearly all of them members of an elite crew of "hotshots," authorities said Monday. It was the nation's biggest loss of firefighters in a wildfire in 80 years. (AP Photo
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This graphic shows the location of Yarnell, Ariz., where 19 firefighters died battling a wildfire on June 30, 2013. (AP Photo)— AP

This graphic shows the location of Yarnell, Ariz., where 19 firefighters died battling a wildfire on June 30, 2013. (AP Photo)
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A wildfire destroys homes in the Glenn Ilah area near Yarnell, Ariz. on Sunday, June 30, 2013. An Arizona fire chief says the wildfire that killed 19 members of his crew near the town was moving fast and fueled by hot, dry conditions. The fire started with a lightning strike on Friday and spread to 2,000 acres on Sunday amid triple-digit temperatures. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)— AP

A wildfire destroys homes in the Glenn Ilah area near Yarnell, Ariz. on Sunday, June 30, 2013. An Arizona fire chief says the wildfire that killed 19 members of his crew near the town was moving fast and fueled by hot, dry conditions. The fire started with a lightning strike on Friday and spread to 2,000 acres on Sunday amid triple-digit temperatures. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)
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A wildfire burns homes in the Glenn Ilah area near Yarnell, Ariz. on Sunday, June 30, 2013. An Arizona fire chief says the wildfire that killed 19 members of his crew near the town was moving fast and fueled by hot, dry conditions. The fire started with a lightning strike on Friday and spread to 2,000 acres on Sunday amid triple-digit temperatures. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)— AP

A wildfire burns homes in the Glenn Ilah area near Yarnell, Ariz. on Sunday, June 30, 2013. An Arizona fire chief says the wildfire that killed 19 members of his crew near the town was moving fast and fueled by hot, dry conditions. The fire started with a lightning strike on Friday and spread to 2,000 acres on Sunday amid triple-digit temperatures. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)
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A procession carrying the bodies of the firefighters who died Sunday fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire heads down Grand Ave. toward the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office on Monday, July 1, 2013. Nineteen firefighters have died in the Yarnell Hill Fire that has ripped through half of the town and sent residents to Prescott for safety. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Mark Henle)— AP

A procession carrying the bodies of the firefighters who died Sunday fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire heads down Grand Ave. toward the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office on Monday, July 1, 2013. Nineteen firefighters have died in the Yarnell Hill Fire that has ripped through half of the town and sent residents to Prescott for safety. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Mark Henle)
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In this 2012 photo provided by the Cronkite News, members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots run during training on the use of emergency fire shelters. On Sunday, June 30, 2013, 19 members of the Prescott, Ariz.-based crew were killed in the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the U.S. for at least 30 years. The firefighters were forced to deploy their emergency fire shelters - tent-like structures meant to shield firefighters from flames and heat - when they were caught near the central — AP

In this 2012 photo provided by the Cronkite News, members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots run during training on the use of emergency fire shelters. On Sunday, June 30, 2013, 19 members of the Prescott, Ariz.-based crew were killed in the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the U.S. for at least 30 years. The firefighters were forced to deploy their emergency fire shelters - tent-like structures meant to shield firefighters from flames and heat - when they were caught near the central
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Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer answers questions during a news conference, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. Brewer signed an order declaring a state of emergency in Yavapai County due to a wildfire that overtook a firefighting crew and killed 19 of the 20-member team. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)— AP

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer answers questions during a news conference, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. Brewer signed an order declaring a state of emergency in Yavapai County due to a wildfire that overtook a firefighting crew and killed 19 of the 20-member team. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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ADDS IDENTIFICATION - In this April 12, 2012 photo provided by the Cronkite News, Granite Mountain Hotshots crew member Shane Arollado trains with others on setting up emergency fire shelters outside of Prescott, Ariz. On Sunday, June 30, 2013, 19 members of the Prescott-based crew were killed in the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the U.S. for at least 30 years. The firefighters were forced to deploy their emergency fire shelters - tent-like structures meant to shield firefighters — AP

ADDS IDENTIFICATION - In this April 12, 2012 photo provided by the Cronkite News, Granite Mountain Hotshots crew member Shane Arollado trains with others on setting up emergency fire shelters outside of Prescott, Ariz. On Sunday, June 30, 2013, 19 members of the Prescott-based crew were killed in the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the U.S. for at least 30 years. The firefighters were forced to deploy their emergency fire shelters - tent-like structures meant to shield firefighters
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In this April 12, 2012 photo provided by the Cronkite News, Phillip Maldonado, a squad leader with the Granite Mountain Hotshots, trains crew members on setting up emergency fire shelters outside of Prescott, Ariz. On Sunday, June 30, 2013, 19 members of the Prescott-based crew were killed in the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the U.S. for at least 30 years. The firefighters were forced to deploy their emergency fire shelters - tent-like structures meant to shield firefighters from— AP

In this April 12, 2012 photo provided by the Cronkite News, Phillip Maldonado, a squad leader with the Granite Mountain Hotshots, trains crew members on setting up emergency fire shelters outside of Prescott, Ariz. On Sunday, June 30, 2013, 19 members of the Prescott-based crew were killed in the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the U.S. for at least 30 years. The firefighters were forced to deploy their emergency fire shelters - tent-like structures meant to shield firefighters from
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Dean Smith watches as the Yarnell Hill Fire encroaches on his home in Glenn Ilah on Sunday, June 30, 2013 near Yarnell, Ariz. The fire started Friday and picked up momentum as the area experienced high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. It has forced the evacuation of residents in the Peeples Valley area and in the town of Yarnell. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)— AP

Dean Smith watches as the Yarnell Hill Fire encroaches on his home in Glenn Ilah on Sunday, June 30, 2013 near Yarnell, Ariz. The fire started Friday and picked up momentum as the area experienced high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. It has forced the evacuation of residents in the Peeples Valley area and in the town of Yarnell. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)
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Homes burn as the Yarnell Hill Fire burns in Glenn Ilah on Sunday, June 30, 2013 near Yarnell, Ariz. The fire started Friday and picked up momentum as the area experienced high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. It has forced the evacuation of residents in the Peeples Valley area and in the town of Yarnell. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)— AP

Homes burn as the Yarnell Hill Fire burns in Glenn Ilah on Sunday, June 30, 2013 near Yarnell, Ariz. The fire started Friday and picked up momentum as the area experienced high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. It has forced the evacuation of residents in the Peeples Valley area and in the town of Yarnell. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)
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A wildfire burns homes in Yarnell, Ariz. on Sunday, June 30, 2013. An Arizona fire chief says the wildfire that killed 19 members of his crew near the town was moving fast and fueled by hot, dry conditions. The fire started with a lightning strike on Friday and spread to 2,000 acres on Sunday amid triple-digit temperatures. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)— AP

A wildfire burns homes in Yarnell, Ariz. on Sunday, June 30, 2013. An Arizona fire chief says the wildfire that killed 19 members of his crew near the town was moving fast and fueled by hot, dry conditions. The fire started with a lightning strike on Friday and spread to 2,000 acres on Sunday amid triple-digit temperatures. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)
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Nancy Myers is emotional as she speaks to her boss to let him know that she won't be able to make it into work due to the Yarnell Hill Fire on Monday, July 1, 2013, at the Red Cross Shelter in Prescott, Ariz. The wildfire destroyed 200 houses in the town of Yarnell and the nearby community of Glen Isla. Nineteen firefighters from an elite crew from Prescott were killed in the blaze. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Aaron Lavinsky) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES— AP

Nancy Myers is emotional as she speaks to her boss to let him know that she won't be able to make it into work due to the Yarnell Hill Fire on Monday, July 1, 2013, at the Red Cross Shelter in Prescott, Ariz. The wildfire destroyed 200 houses in the town of Yarnell and the nearby community of Glen Isla. Nineteen firefighters from an elite crew from Prescott were killed in the blaze. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Aaron Lavinsky) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES
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Toby Schultz pauses after laying flowers at the gate of the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew fire station, Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz. An out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group of firefighters trained to battle the fiercest wildfires, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. The disaster Sunday afternoon all but wiped out the 20-member Hotshot fire crew leaving the city's fire department reeling. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobs— AP

Toby Schultz pauses after laying flowers at the gate of the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew fire station, Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz. An out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group of firefighters trained to battle the fiercest wildfires, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. The disaster Sunday afternoon all but wiped out the 20-member Hotshot fire crew leaving the city's fire department reeling. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobs
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Firefighters work near a wildfire burning along a ridge in Yarnell, Ariz., in this photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service, Monday, July 1, 2013. The lightning-sparked fire, which started last Friday, spread to at least 2,000 acres amid triple-digit temperatures, overtook an elite group of firefighters, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. (AP Photo/U.S. Forest Service)— AP

Firefighters work near a wildfire burning along a ridge in Yarnell, Ariz., in this photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service, Monday, July 1, 2013. The lightning-sparked fire, which started last Friday, spread to at least 2,000 acres amid triple-digit temperatures, overtook an elite group of firefighters, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. (AP Photo/U.S. Forest Service)
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Angela Clark, left, her daughter Chloe, middle, and Theresa Winquest visit a makeshift memorial at the fire station Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz., where an elite team of firefighters was based. Nineteen of the 20 members of the team were killed Sunday when a wildfire suddenly swept toward them in Yarnell, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Patrick Breen)— AP

Angela Clark, left, her daughter Chloe, middle, and Theresa Winquest visit a makeshift memorial at the fire station Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz., where an elite team of firefighters was based. Nineteen of the 20 members of the team were killed Sunday when a wildfire suddenly swept toward them in Yarnell, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Patrick Breen)
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Toby Schultz lays flowers at the gate of the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew fire station, Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz. An out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group of firefighters trained to battle the fiercest wildfires, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. The disaster Sunday afternoon all but wiped out the 20-member Hotshot fire crew leaving the city's fire department reeling. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)— AP

Toby Schultz lays flowers at the gate of the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew fire station, Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz. An out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group of firefighters trained to battle the fiercest wildfires, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. The disaster Sunday afternoon all but wiped out the 20-member Hotshot fire crew leaving the city's fire department reeling. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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An aerial tanker drops fire retardant on a wildfires threatening homes near Yarnell, Ariz., Monday, July 1, 2013. An elite crew of firefighters was overtaken by the out-of-control blaze on Sunday, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)— AP

An aerial tanker drops fire retardant on a wildfires threatening homes near Yarnell, Ariz., Monday, July 1, 2013. An elite crew of firefighters was overtaken by the out-of-control blaze on Sunday, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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This undated photo courtesy of the the Woyjeck family shows firefighter, Kevin Woyjeck, right, and his father, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Joe Woyjeck. Kevin Woyjeck of Seal Beach, Calif., was one of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew, who was killed Sunday evening above the town of Yarnell, northwest of Phoenix in the nation's biggest loss of firefighters in a wildfire in 80 years. (AP Photo/Woyjeck Family)— AP

This undated photo courtesy of the the Woyjeck family shows firefighter, Kevin Woyjeck, right, and his father, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Joe Woyjeck. Kevin Woyjeck of Seal Beach, Calif., was one of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew, who was killed Sunday evening above the town of Yarnell, northwest of Phoenix in the nation's biggest loss of firefighters in a wildfire in 80 years. (AP Photo/Woyjeck Family)
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Families gather at the fire station Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz., where an elite team of firefighters was based. Nineteen of the 20 members of the team were killed Sunday when a wildfire suddenly swept toward them in Yarnell, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Patrick Breen)— AP

Families gather at the fire station Monday, July 1, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz., where an elite team of firefighters was based. Nineteen of the 20 members of the team were killed Sunday when a wildfire suddenly swept toward them in Yarnell, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Patrick Breen)
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Unidentified members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew from Prescott, Ariz., pose together in this undated photo provided by the City of Prescott. Some of the men in this photograph were among the 19 firefighters killed while battling an out-of-control wildfire near Yarnell, Ariz., on Sunday, June 30, 2013, according to Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo. It was the nation's biggest loss of firefighters in a wildfire in 80 years. (AP Photo/City of Prescott)— AP

Unidentified members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew from Prescott, Ariz., pose together in this undated photo provided by the City of Prescott. Some of the men in this photograph were among the 19 firefighters killed while battling an out-of-control wildfire near Yarnell, Ariz., on Sunday, June 30, 2013, according to Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo. It was the nation's biggest loss of firefighters in a wildfire in 80 years. (AP Photo/City of Prescott)
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Joanne Barringer, right, comforts her husband Dave Barringer, of Las Vegas, after hanging a T-shirt on the fence outside the Granite Mountain Interagency Hot Shot Crew fire station, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. Barringer, who said he works as a wild land firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service said he was friends with many of the 19 Hotshots who were killed Sunday when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group near Yarnell, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)— AP

Joanne Barringer, right, comforts her husband Dave Barringer, of Las Vegas, after hanging a T-shirt on the fence outside the Granite Mountain Interagency Hot Shot Crew fire station, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. Barringer, who said he works as a wild land firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service said he was friends with many of the 19 Hotshots who were killed Sunday when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group near Yarnell, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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Prescott Fire Marshal Don Devendorf speaks during a memorial service for 19 firefighters of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew that were killed battling a wildfire, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Wallace)— AP

Prescott Fire Marshal Don Devendorf speaks during a memorial service for 19 firefighters of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew that were killed battling a wildfire, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Wallace)
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A woman hugs a firefighter before the start of a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)— AP

A woman hugs a firefighter before the start of a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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A woman reacts as the national anthem is sung at the start of a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)— AP

A woman reacts as the national anthem is sung at the start of a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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Mourners bow their heads in prayer during a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)— AP

Mourners bow their heads in prayer during a memorial service, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. The service was held for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew firefighters who were killed Sunday, when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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Mayer fire department chaplain Rev. Bob Ossler, reacts during a memorial service for 19 wildland firefighters, Monday, July 1, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. Nineteen Hotshot firefighters were killed on Sunday when when an out-of-control blaze overtook the elite group near Yarnell, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)— AP

But fire spokeswoman Karen Takai says the Yarnell Hill Fire is still zero percent contained, and thunderstorms that bring little rain and a lot of lightning are a major threat because of the dry vegetation.

She says winds are calm Tuesday morning but thunderstorm cells were already visible.

At last count, about 500 firefighters are on the scene, with more on the way.

The Yarnell fire has burned about 8,400 acres, or about 13 square miles.

It killed 19 firefighters Sunday when they were overtaken by the flames.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

The firefighters walked down the bleachers in a silent gymnasium full of mourners, their heavy work boots drumming a march on the wooden steps.

They bowed their heads for moments of silence at the front of an auditorium that was so packed organizers had to send people outside for fear of violating the fire code. The burly men then hugged each other and cried at the end of a deeply emotional memorial Monday evening in the Arizona mountain town of Prescott.

More than 1,000 people gathered in the gymnasium on the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as others throughout the state and beyond also mourned the deaths of the 19 Prescott-based firefighters killed Sunday outside nearby Yarnell. The day marked the nation's deadliest for fire crews since Sept. 11, 2001.

Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo spoke in a shaky voice at the memorial as he described throwing a picnic a month ago for the department's new recruits and meeting their families.

"About five hours ago, I met those same families at an auditorium," he said. "Those families lost. The Prescott Fire Department lost. The city of Prescott lost, the state of Arizona and the nation lost," he said before receiving a standing ovation as he left the podium.

For the 19 killed, violent wind gusts turned a lightning-caused forest fire into a death trap that left no escape.

In a desperate attempt at survival, the firefighters - members of a highly skilled Arizona-based Hotshot crew - had unfurled their foil-lined, heat-resistant shelters and rushed to cover themselves on the ground. But the success of the shelters depends on firefighters being in a cleared area away from fuels and not in the direct path of a raging fire.

Only one member of the 20-person crew survived, and that was because he was moving the unit's truck at the time.

The blaze grew from 200 acres to about 2,000 in a matter of hours, and Prescott City Councilman Len Scamardo said the wind and fire made it impossible for the firefighters to flee around 3 p.m. Sunday.